<P>Russian authorities are hoping to improve the commercial potential of the Ilyushin Il-96 family after completing ‘hot and high’ tests with a Cuban-operated example of the type in Ecuador.</P> <P>The tests involved one of the Il-96-300s, registered CU-T1251, delivered to Cuban flag-carrier Cubana de Aviación towards the end of last year.</P> <P>More than ten flights were conducted by the aircraft between Havana and the high-altitude airports at Quito and Latacunga – located some 2,800m (9,190ft) above sea level.</P> <P>The aircraft (pictured on Russian television below at the VASO plant in Voronezh at its roll-out ceremony) was equipped with Perm PS-90A engines. Perm was among the participants in the test, along with representatives from Ilyushin design bureau, the Interstate Aviation Committee, and Russian certification authorities.</P> <P></P> <P align=center><IMG style="WIDTH: 445px; HEIGHT: 297px" alt="" src="../assets/getAsset.aspx?ItemID=14319" border=0></P> <P>Perm says